Sellafield

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the elevated levels of radiation detected at Sellafield on 31 January 2014.

Michael Fallon: The Office for Nuclear Regulation (GNR) is responsible for regulating the nuclear sector. I am advised by the ONR that the increased radiation was due to naturally occurring radon arising from construction activities at the Sellafield site. The increase in activity was extremely small and within normal fluctuations in background levels of radiation that would be routinely expected within the parameters of the approved safety case. It was detected on this occasion because of the sensitivity of the detectors. ONR are continuing their investigation as to whether recent maintenance has affected the performance of the detectors as part of their normal routine inspection activities. ONR was satisfied that Sellafield Ltd acted in an appropriate manner throughout the event.